Thousands Without Power After Van Crashes Into Utility Pole
REDFORD TWP. (WWJ) - Thousands of people in Redford Township are waking up without power Thursday morning as a deep-freeze settles over the metro Detroit area.
DTE Energy officials said about 9,000 homes and businesses were knocked offline after a minivan crashed into a pole along Grand River Avenue just west of Telegraph Road. As a result of the power outages, classes have been canceled Thursday at Redford Union High and Veritas Alternative Education.
Check the DTE outage map, HERE.
"It looks like the minivan broadsided this pole, somehow, and the pole fell down into the median," WWJ's Bill Szumanski reported from above the scene in Chopper 950. "The resulting power outage is from Grand River south all the way down to I-96, east over to Lahser and west to Inkster."
Other circumstances surrounding the accident weren't immediately clear. Reports say the driver was critically injured.
Traffic lights in the area between 5 Mile and 7 Mile roads are out, and motorists are advised to use caution.
Officials say there are issues at two substations, although it's unclear how long repairs are going to take.
Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 and CBSDetroit.com for the latest.